Song Min-kyu, global head of Genesis, speaks during a press conference on Genesis Magma Racing at a hotel in Dubai, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of Genesis
By Lee Min-hyung
Genesis will compete in the 2026 World Endurance Championship's headlining hypercar category by creating a racing team, as part of the brand's ambition to establish itself in high-performance motorsports.
At a premier event in Dubai on Wednesday (local time), the brand unveiled Genesis Magma Racing, signaling its entry into the world's most prestigious endurance racing events.
“This entry into motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis,” the Hyundai Motor Group luxury brand's Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke said.
Genesis plans to compete in two major endurance racing championships: the World Endurance Championship by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in 2026 and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) in 2027, with two vehicles in each event. By participating in the event, the brand seeks to showcase its advanced high-performance vehicle development capabilities.
Genesis Magma Racing introduced reigning FIA World Endurance Champion André Lotterer and two-time IMSA title-winner Luis Derani as the team's first two drivers.
Genesis has joined an elite group of manufacturers vying for success on the world’s most prestigious racing stages. This move proves a significant milestone for the brand, demonstrating its ability to innovate under the extreme conditions of motorsport while maintaining its commitment to luxury and sustainability.
“As we look to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to bring the spirit of hyperspeed — which drives how we create and innovate — in a way that aligns perfectly with our core values,” Donckerwolke said.
As the centerpiece of the brand's motorsport ambitions, the brand revealed the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, which the brand described to be "embodying Genesis’ commitment to athletic elegance in a high-performance, endurance-ready package."
Genesis' entry into motorsport is in line with Hyundai Motor Group's initiative to demonstrate vehicle performance in competitive stages. The group's executive Chairman Chung Euisun has been showcasing his commitment to motorsports through investments, which resulted in Hyundai Motor sweeping titles at the World Rally Championship and improved global consumers' impressions of Hyundai vehicles.
English (United States) ·